CARE PACKAGES for our Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, 2006

patriciaruth ^ | 1-21-06 | patriciaruth

[patriciaruth]

Welcome to the 2006 thread of the Merry Band of Patriots!

Our grassroots, volunteer group of troop supporters has been sending care packages to servicemen and women in war zones since the summer of 2001 when we began by sending VHS movies and Snickers candy bars to the 101st Airborne and then later the 10th Mountain at Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo.

This last year we sent a couple hundred care packages to troops at Baghdad, Kirkuk, Mosul and Tal Afar in Iraq, at Bagram in Afghanistan, at Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo and to our wounded at Landstuhl Regional Hospital in Germany.

Our specialty in the past has been movies, books, snacks, holiday decorations and some appliances like DVD players and Playstations, and we have sent hundreds of movies to various bases.

This last year we had 6 main projects in addition to the usual care packages:

1. We sent over 80 state-of-the-art Petzl headlamps to our adopted company of Stryker Brigade Combat Team at Mosul and 35 to an MI unit at Kirkuk. This was probably the most appreciated item we've ever sent, thanks to a project that got off the ground due to the work of Spanaway Lori, HannaUSA , and Oatka and 3/4th of which was funded by my optometrist.

2. There was the Personal Care items "Emergency" Airlift to Bagram air base in June and July. (mathluv, nina0113, Coop, JustAmy, airborne, iceskater, Tunehead54, jtill participated.)

3. The 4th of July Party Decorations and Snacks blowout for all our adopted units. (pictures at posts 357, 358, 368 of our 2005 thread)

4. Operation Popcorn in August and September for the Engineers at Baghdad (iceskater, mathluv, SENClander, Coop, Abigail Adams, Ros42, Ican'tbelieve it, jtill and ebay's mshoponline sent over 600 bags of microwave popcorn, while omegatoo's were lost in the shuffle of her evacuating New Orleans prior to the Katrina flooding)

5. The End of Summer Luau for psyops at Baghdad in September and October (MJY1288 mailed off the party things we bought at eBay and Amazon with contributions from fanfan, kattracks, jtill, Just mythoughts, Ros42, Pig Rigger, MJY1288 and Kitty Mittens. Pictures at post 809 of the 2005 thread)

6. Halloween candy and movies for the Troops (kattracks, SENClander, Ican'tbelieveit, Abigail Adams mailed boxes in addition to the ones I sent with donations)

7. The Amazing Christmas and New Years Deluge, when it rained packages at all our adopted bases, especially at Tal Afar.
Special mentions go to Teams captains: mathluv (Engineers Baghdad), Ros42 (psyops Baghdad), CAluvdubya (Tal Afar), Abigail Adams (Stryker at Mosul), VeniVidiVici (MI at Kirkuk), nina0113 (Bagram, Afghanistan). Fairy Godmother Dept. (kattracks), Christmas Trees and Christmas Cards R Us (daybreakcoming), Shipping Dept (MJY1288), DVD Recording Dept (MJY1288), Webhosting and Photoshopping Dept (New Perspective), Daddy Warbucks Dept (my optometrist).

Among the many care packages sent by our troop supporters are these projects.
Boxes of school supplies for Iraqi children were sent by mathluv, Ican'tbelieveit, and my mother to Operation Crayon in Kirkuk.
Some members (CAluvdubya, angelsonmyside, 4integrity, ebay's susiemck) helped fill requests for Western Movies from an MI unit at Kirkuk (now home, movies still there) and Clint Eastwood and Adam Sandler movies from Fox Battery at Kirkuk (now home, movies still there).
bjcintennesse made many dozens of cooling neck scarves and sent them to pysops and Engineers at Baghdad.
DAVEY CROCKETT mailed boxesful of car magazines to a couple units.
A copy of the hardback book about the first year of the Revolutionary War (1776 by David McCullough) was sent to most of our units by DrDeb, iceskater, SwatTeam, and Just a Cowgirl.
Ros42 and mscht adopted a unit at Camp Ramadi for Christmas. (picture at 1195 of the 2005 thread).
CheneyChick and daybreakcoming saw to it that some care packages went to a remnant of our troops still in Kosovo.
Daybreakcoming's sister helped the staffers of the Louisiana legislature send about 8 boxes with around 32 bags of Christmas candy to Tal Afar.

Our many generous donors of checks, cash, money orders, Paypal, shopping cards, phone cards, etc are listed in the Accounting posts in our 2005 thread which can be linked from the post below.

We were surprised and emotional when we received back from our adopted units some of the items pictured below, and a big thank you to jkphoto for taking the pictures and webhosting them.

[SENClander]

I got a note from our contact at Liberty who said they inventory the DVDs, mark them, and then have a sign out sheet for viewing them. I don't know how close they are to the other FOBs, but I bet those DVDs get around!

[iceskater]

Patty-
I'll help adopt them. I'm done with EMT training so my schedule is a little better now.

FReepmail me with any details.

[patriciaruth]

FOB Falcon and FOB Liberty are 8 miles apart (a long way if the road has IED's).

I don't know how far they are from FOB Stryker.

[patriciaruth]

Details FReeped on NPTT at FOB Falcon.

NOW, I want details on how your EMT training went and if you are applying for jobs now, etc., etc... ???

:-)

[iceskater]

The EMT training went pretty well. It took an extra month because we had a change of instructors in the middle. There were a few times when I thought about quitting but I stuck it out.

I went into the state test thinking the written test will be a breeze but the practicals would be more challenging (i.e. trauma assessment, load and go, in 10 minutes). Fortunately, I had a really good partner and we worked pretty well together. The practicals were a breeze. The written test was a bear. I think my strategy worked - any time one of the choices involved protecting the airway, that's the one I picked. Any time one of the choices involved protecting the responder or his crew, I picked that one. I got a 91 out of 100. The highest score was 95 so I'm pretty happy.

I will be volunteering at one of the rescue squads in my area. I've looked at 3 of them. I just need to decide. Given the nature of ice skating, I am about the only one at the rink in the mornings (when I skate) who knows what to do. In fact, the day after my test, one girl took a really bad spill. I was doing DCAP-BTLS and assessing her without even thinking about it! They trained me well.

[patriciaruth]

That's so righteous! You've made yourself an asset to any community you are in now.

Glad you skated through the tests!

Keep us posted, please.

I haven't heard from the MSG at the new NPTT unit yet. Let me know if you do. Have you emailed him?

[patriciaruth]

Iceskater is going to take the lead on adopting the second NPTT unit in Baghdad. Our first one is at FOB Liberty. This one is at FOB Falcon.

Mailed January 26, 2007, to our adopted Stryker company at Baghdad
1 box, insured $65.78, postage $10.40
1 TV series boxed set:
24, Season 1 (Keifer Sutherland)
3 DVD movies:
The Untouchables (Sean Connery, Kevin Costner)
We Were Soldiers (Mel Gibson)
Predator (Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jesse Ventura)
1 box 12 bags Act II microwave popcorn (Butter Lover’s)
1 box 10 envelops Swiss Miss hot chocolate mix with marshmallows (in 2 ziplock bags)
8 packets of chicken soup flavoring (in a ziplock bag)
2 Tic Tacs peppermint
4 magazines:
Sports Illustrated, Dec 13 and Jan 22
Reader’s Digest, January 2007
West magazine, boxing article and vacation in Kurdistan article

Mailed January 25, 2007, to NPTT unit at FOB Falcon
1 box, insured $75.23, postage $10.40
4 DVD movies:
Flight 93
Hotel Ruwanda (Don Cheadle)
The Mummy (Brendan Frasier)
Unbreakable (Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson)
1 book:
1776 (David McCullough
1 page a day (paper airplanes) calendar
1 package Rocher chocolate nut balls
1 can Frito jalapeno cheddar cheese dip
3 magazines:
Reader’s Digest, January, 2007
Sports Illustrated, Year in Sports
Sports Illustrated, Jan 8
Newspaper sections:
2 local newspapers about our local freeze disaster and relief efforts
1 L.A. Times Sports page, January 23
2 newsletters:
Imprimis: Freedom and Non-Freedom, the view from Russia
Imprimis: Saddam’s Iraq and Islamic Terror, what we know now (Stephen Hayes)
1 old DVD recording by MJY1288: Rush Limbaugh's Jan, 2006, MP3 files.

[SENClander]

I sent a box off to the NPTT unit at FOB Liberty on February 1. Contents:

2 bags of potato sticks
11 pairs of socks
1 hanging air freshener
2 boxes of Band-Aids
2 packs of 6 each Gillete razors
2 packs of cartridge refills for razors
1 moustache care kit*
1 foot care kit including Gold Bond foot powder, Gold Bond foot cream, toenail clippers, corn, callous, and bunion pads
2 DVD's -- "Marine" and "The Guardian"

*They sent a picture and I noticed a couple had moustaches.

[iceskater]

I've heard from our contact at the second unit.
I had asked what they wanted or needed and he said "anything you send will be fine. I don't want to ask".

So, I'll be sending a package this week. A Valentine theme probably. I've had good luck with packages getting there pretty quickly. It might be a little late for Valentines but it will be close. Then I should be able to get on a regular schedule sending them packages.


He mentioned trading videos with the other unit. Maybe you can freepmail suggested videos so I don't duplicate too much?

[SENClander]

I sent another box off to FOB Liberty today. Contents:

8 bags of salted peanuts in the shell (special request)
2 boxes of large pretzels
3 bags of Chex mix
3 boxes of Cheez-its
2 boxes of Keebler chocolate chip cookies

[patriciaruth]

Cool fun stuff in your care package, SENClander!

I seem to be over the flu now. Had fever and felt AWFUL for several days last week. Probably would have been worse if I hadn't had a flu shot last October.

Just starting to get back on track. New Perspective was down with flu, too, so he hasn't gotten me the pictures yet to start the new 2007 thread, not that I could have done anything with them as I could barely crawl around and feed my Mom.

Hoping he and I are well enough to get the job done this weekend.

Cheers!

[patriciaruth]

Here's the Masterlist of what we've already sent to NPTT at Liberty. They are going to trade back and forth with NPTT at FOB Falcon, so we can get different things for NPTT at Falcon.

Iceskater, would you mind getting Season 1 of the TV Series comedy Scrubs for Falcon? SW6906 is sending them some of the recent episodes and they would probably enjoy them more if they had the first season or two to ground them in the characters and events.

Enterprise is maybe going to get them some movies, too, so you two should let each other know what you're getting "if practicable."

I just got Gettysburg, and will be sending it to them, and may be throwing in Deep Impact (somehow this disaster movie is striking a chord with me lately..."hope survives".) We'll also be sending the book Radical Son by David Horowitz.

MASTERLIST of DVD’s etc for NPTT unit at BAGHDAD

TV series:
24, Season 4**
24, Season 5**
CSI Miami, season 1
CSI, Miami, Season 2
CSI, Miami, Season 4*
CSI, NY, Season 1
Stargate SG-1, seasons 4 and 5
Stargate SG-1, Seasons 1, 2, 3 (sent by Camp Ramadi)
24 -- first four episodes of Season 6*

DVD Movies:
Black Dahlia *
World Trade Center (Nicolas Cage) *
Miami Vice *
Invincible*
Thank You for Smoking *
Patton (George C. Scott) *
Lonesome Dove *

DC 9/11 – Time of Crisis (Timothy Bottoms, Penny Johnson)
Dumb and Dumber (Jim Carey)
Galaxy Quest (Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Tony Shalhoub)
Himself/Bill Cosby ***
The Fifth Element (Bruce Willis)
Flight 93
Flight 93***
Last of the Mohicans (Daniel Day-Lewis, Russell Means)
The Last Samurai (Tom Cruise)
Lawrence of Arabia (Peter O’Toole, Omar Sharif, Alec Guiness) ***
Lethal Weapon 4*
The Man from Snowy River (Tom Burlinson)
Mask ***
Son of Mask ***
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Payback (Mel Gibson) ***
Plainsong (a Hallmark movie) ***
Quick and the Dead (Sam Elliott, Kate Capshaw)
Star Wars Trilogy boxed set (Episodes IV, V, VI, and bonus disc)
Star Wars, Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Star Wars, Episode II: The Attack of the Clones
Star Wars, Episode III: The Revenge of the Sith
Striking Distance/Bruce Willis ***
The Terminal (Tom Hanks) ***
Tombstone (Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Sam Elliott)
Troy (Brad Pitt, Peter O’Toole)
Unbreakable (Bruce Willis)
The Untouchables (Kevin Costner, Sean Connery) ***
Walking Tall (The Rock) ***
Walk The Line (Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Wetherspoon) ***
What About Bob? (Bill Murray, Richard Dreyfus) ***
Weekend at Bernies ***
We Were Soldiers (Mel Gibson) *

*sent by SENClander
**sent by Yaelle
***sent by daybreakcoming

Books:
1776 by David McCullough
Assassins by Ollie North***

[patriciaruth]

I just ordered Smallville, Seasons 1-4, from Amazon Marketplace, to be sent from Massachusetts to iceskater so she can mail them on to NPTT at FOB Falcon. Will need to insure for 125.42.

If your mailman or someone wants you to sign for them when they arrive, don't sign till you open the box and verify the all four seasons are there and that they are new and American releases (no chinese characters on the box) as advertised.

If not, sign with a note indicating in what way that they are not as promised.

I'll get Season 5 and send on later separately.

Cheers!
Patty

[SENClander]

I didn't know you were sick, Patty. I thought you were just busy with your mom. Glad to hear you're better and hope you stay healthy -- and your mom, too.

[Enterprise]

Ordered and soon to be enroute as of today:

Eight Legged Freaks [Widescreen]
Used DVD - Price: $3.98

Chronicles of Riddick [Full Screen]
Used DVD - Price: $5.98

Aeon Flux [Full Screen] [Special Collector's Edition]
Used DVD - Price: $9.48

Chronicles of Riddick: Pitch Black [Full Screen]
Used DVD - Price: $5.48

Underworld [Widescreen]
Used DVD - Price: $6.48

Total Bought: $31.40
Credit Applied: ($0.00)
Shipping and Handling: $7.94
Total: $39.34

[Enterprise]

Confirmation that the order is enroute.

"We wanted to let you know that the following has been shipped from our Chicago warehouse and is on its way."

[patriciaruth]

I see you are sending the police training unit some light hearted fare.

I may have to send them some Shirley Temple movies just to balance those out. ;-)

[Enterprise]

Well, sometimes the police have a warped view of life. But now that I think about it, should I have sent some popcorn to go with the movies?

[patriciaruth]

Give me popcorn and I can watch anything.

Give me nachos and cheese and jalapenas and I can enjoy watching anything.

[the_devils_advocate_666]

I need to do my part and I haven't.

Can you folks give me an address and a list of things to send along with the list of what not to send? (I'm sure there's one already around to which you can point me.)

Thanks